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C. F. LEFEVER.

GUN.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 17. |919.

Patented Dec. 2, 1919.

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c. F. LEFEVER. GUN.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I7 I9I9.

Patented Dec. 2, 1919.

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C. F. LEFEVER.

GUN.

APPLICATION FILED ram/17,1919.

Patented Des. 2,19l9. s sHEE1s-sHEE s i @mwa/toi C/mrZesefeer sie im .a s

CHARLES F. LEFEVER, OF PLYMOUTH, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T0 DAISY MANUFACTUR- ING COMPANY, 0F PLYMOUTH, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

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Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 2, i919.

Application filed May 17, 1919. Serial No. 297,898.

To all whom it may concern.'

` Be it known that I, CHARLES F. Liirnvnn, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Plymouth', in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Guns, of which the following is a specification, reference being haelt-herein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to spring air guns of that type in which the spring iscompressed by the movement of a handle slidable upon the barrel, vor what is commonly known as a pump action. It is 'the object of the invention to obtain an easily operated mechanism, to simplify the construction of parts and to secure various advantages as hereinafter more fully set forth. Y

In the drawings z- Figure l is a side elevation of the gun;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through a portionof the barrel showing the operating mechanism;

Figs. 3 and t are similar views showing the operation of charging or compressing the spring;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section on line 5-5 Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a cross-section on line 6 6 Fig. 3;

Fig. l1 is a cross-section similar to Fig. 10 slightly modified;

Figs. l2 and 13 are perspective views of a portion of the frame andthe trigger guard to be attached thereto.

In the present state of the art various constructions of pump operating mechanisms for spring air guns have been devised, in

someof which the operation of the actuating handle moves the plunger to compress the spring against a stationary abutment, while in others the acti'iating mechanism moves the spring abutment to compress the Sprng-aganstthe plunger.

One of the features of the present invention is a mechanism in which the plunger and spring abutment are simultaneously actuated in opposite directions. This has the advantage that the mechanism can be condensed, for eachV end of the spring is moved only one-half the distance. A further advantage of the construction is that the mechanism may be actuated with less labor, due to thefact that at the completion of the movement when the spring is under strongest tension the leverage is mostfavorable for increasing power.

In detail, A is the false barrel of the gun containing the usual true barrel B. C is the stock and D is the frame for uniting the barrel and stock. This frame is preferably formed up of sheet metal with a segmental cylindrical portion D telescopically engaging the barrel and having depending parallel spaced flanged portions D2. The segmental cylindrical portion is more than a half circle in cross-section and 4forms a guideway for the slidable compression chamber E and slidable spring abutment F.

The compression chamber E is a cylinder fitting within the segmental portion of the frame and having at its forward end an abutment G preferably cup-shaped and filled with packing material G. This abutment normally rests above a stationary abutment H which is secured within the false barrel and the packing material seals the joint so as to prevent leakage of air. Within the chamber E isa slidable piston I which is provided with a shank I extending rearwardly therefrom and preferably tubular and of suflicient size to form a guide for a spring J. This spring is confined within the annular space between the shank I and the compression chamber E, its forward end bearing against the piston I while its rear end normallyextends beyond the compres sion chamber and into engagement with the slidable abutment F. This abutment is preferably formed of pressed sheet metal and in addition to forming aseat for the spring has mounted therein the sear K. As specifically show'n, the abutment has a segmental cylindrical portion F for fitting within the corresponding portion of the frame and has also the spaced parallel flanged portions F2 which fit within the parallel flanges D2. The sear isV mounted on a pivot pin K passing-transversely through the abutment member and has the forward extension carrying the detent K2 for engaging a coperating detent I2 on the plunger shank I. The sear is further provided with a rearwardly extending arm K3 which in the normal position of parts, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, is arranged above the trigger L so that when the latter is lpulled an arm L thereof will raise the arm K3 to release the sear. For holding the sear from accidental release a spring M is placed to pass downward upon the arm K3 and an abutment for this spring is formed by a rearward extension F 3 of the abutment F. This rearward extension also forms. a safety device which, as will be hereinafter described, forces the trigger out of the path of the sear when the latter is returned to operative position.

The pump actuating mechanism comprises a handle member O slidable longitudinally of the barrel and a toggle lever connection comprising the link P and the lever Q. The

link P is preferably formed from sheet metal, being of a U-shaped cross section and tapering from its rear to its forward end so as to make a continuous line from the handle to the-bottom of the frame D. The leverQ is normally concealed within thel flanges D2 of the frame and engages a fulcrum pin Q which passes transversely therethrough and through the flanges D2. On opposite sides of this fulcrum the lever Q is pivotally` connected respectively to the links R and S, the former extending within the slidable abutment F and engaging the pivot pin K', while the latter extends forward within the frame and is attached to a depending flange E on the compression chamber E. Thus when the lever Q is moved angularly about its pivot Q the link R will move the abutment F in one direction while the link S will move the compressionchamber E in the opposite direc- Y tion. The arrangement of the parts is also such that in the initial movement when the spring .is under light tension the leverage is least favorable for power, while during the subsequent movement of the lever the power is increased so as to overcome the increasing resistance of the spring. Y Thus, as shown in Fig. 3, wherethe spring is fully compressed and the detents on the plunger Vshank and Sear are in engagement, the lever Q is substantially at right angles to the axis of the barrel land exerts its Vgreatestl power upon the links Rand S. VAlso the Y toggle formed by the link P stands substantially perpendicular to the lever Q and is exerting its greatest power in the movement of said lever under, the actuation of Y the slidable handle O.

The actuating handle O mustbe guided to move longitudinally ofthe barrel and secured againstdetachment therefrom. This T.have accomplishedV by forming the Vhandle with a concave segment O for fitting about the barrel and providing segmental metal flanges -T fitting the interior of said barrel. The flanges T are connected to the handle O by a shank passing through the seam Vin the false barrel and preferably this shank and the flanges are formed of a single sheet metal blank folded to form a tubularportion T2 for engaging a central longitudinal bore in the handle. The shank T passes through a slit or saw kerf in the handleand thus the one member forms a tie connection and a guide for the handle on the barrel. I also preferably provide a metal bearing for engaging the outside of the barrel, this being formed by segmental flanges T3V on the shank T and spaced from the flanges T` link is pivotally attached to the lever Q by a pin P2. i v Vith the construction as thus far described, in operation the parts are normally in the position, as shown in Fig. 2, Vwhere the abutment G of the compression Vchamber F is bearing against the abutment H in the false barrel. The memberFis also in f its rearmost position V wherethe sear Kris 'an ranged with its actuating arm K3 above the -arin L of-the trigger L. `The link P and lever Q are in substantial alinement with each other and the handle 'OV is in its farthest advanced position on theY barrel.V To load the gun the handle O is slid rear` wardly and as the point of pivotal connec# tion P2 between the link P and lever Q is below the common plane of the fulcrum Q and pivot P. said link and lever will break downward. v The continued rearward move-f ment of thehandle will increase the angular relation between the link Pand Vlever Q,

therebyincreasing the power of the move# ment until, as shownin Fig. V3, they stand at substantially right angles to each other. The swinging movement'ofthe lever Q will first actuate the abutment F through the *Y connecting link R and pivot pin K. slight degree of lost motion is preferably los provided between the link S and the lever Y Q by forming` a slottedbearingS for en gaging-the connecting pivot pin S2.' Thus during the interval when this lost motion is taken up the leveris actuating only the slidable abutment F. When, however, the link S is also actuated this will draw reardoing will'compressjthe spring J; `between the Vpiston T and the abutment F until the sear passes'overtheitaperedhead I3 lof the Sha-e1 and @een ward the Vcompression chamber E and Vin sov iso assetato? ThehandleO is then moved forward Vto return the link P and lever Q' to their original positions. This will also return the abutment F and the compression chamber E, but inasmuch as the is in engagementy with the shank I the pistoni` I is held from forward movement and is compelled to move rearwardly with the abutment F. This will separate theI piston I from the abutment G and will fill the `space therebetween with air which is to be subsequently compressed. The piston I is provided with the usual tubular forwardly extending member V which telescopically engages the true barrel B and the air for filling the compression chamber enters through this tube and through a small port V thereinv opening intothe chamber.

The operation just described lhas compressed the spring and moved the piston rearward in the 4compression chamber into position ready for firing. The movement has also brought the sear into operative relation to the trigger, but accidental release hasfbeen prevented by .the rearward extension F3 of the abutment member F which presses the arm L ofthe trigger downward in advance of the detent; At the completion of the movement the member F3 passes out of `engagement with the trigger so that the latter can bev pulled, whereuponthe arm"Y K3 will be raised,rthe scar disengaged from the shank I and the spring released to propel the piston forward. This compresses air in the compression chamber and forces it outward through the portV and tube V into the true barrel where it eje'cts'the projectile;

The elements of the mechanism above de-` scribed are forme-d to a great extent from sheet metal stampings whichV reduces the cost of manufacture and also standardizing the parts so that they may be used interchangeablyl in different guns.

One novel detail of construction is the trigger guard, shown in `Figs.- l2H and 13,

in which. W is a U-shaped strap bent' up from sheet metal and having pro] ecting lat-A erally from one of the legs of the U the apertured ears IIV, while the opposite legis provided with theilnotches VW on opposite sides thereof. Theframe D is formed with.

inturned flanges D3 on the lower side thereof in rear of the down-turned flanges D2' and these inturne'd flanges are cut away at D4 for the passage of the trigger. In rearframe and may be easily engaged therewith,

being. secured ,byV a Screw W3 passing A and spaced parallel flanges through the apertured ears W and the flanges D2.

What I claim as my invention is:--

l. In an air gun, the combination with a frame, of an air compression cylinder having an abutment at the forward end thereof, a piston in said cylinder, a shank extending rearwardly from said piston, a spring bearing against said piston and an abutment for the opposite end of said spring, means for simultaneously actuating said compression cylinder and spring abutment in opposite directions to compress the spring, and asear mounted on the spring abutment for engaging with said piston shank to retain the spring compressed.

2. In an air gun, the combination with a frame, of an air compression cylinder `having an abutment at its forward end slidable in said frame, a piston within said cylinder, a shank extending rearwardly from said piston, a spring sleeved on said shank and extending into said cylinder against said piston, an abutment for the opposite end of said spring slidable in said frame, a lever mechanism for simultaneously actuating said compression cylinder and spring abutment in opposite directions, and a sear carried by said abutment for engaging the piston Vshank when the spring is compressed and for drawing the piston outward in the cylinder when said cylinder and abutment are restored to normal position.

3. In a spring air gun, the combination with a frame having a segmental cylindrical portion and parallel flanges depending therefrom, of an air compression cylinder slidable in the cylindrical portion of said frame and having a spring abutment at its forward end, a piston within said cylinder, a piston shank extending rearward therefrom, a spring sleeved on said shank extending into said cylinder against said piston,

an abutment for the rear end of said spring slidable in the cylindrical portion of said frame, a sear mounted on said abutment, a lever arranged between the flanged portion of said frame, and links arranged on opposite sides of the fulcrum of said lever connected respectively to said cylinder and spring abutment for actuating the same simultaneously in opposite directions, wherebythe spring is compressed and lthe scar engaged with the piston shank-when said lever is moved in one direction and the cylinder and spring abutment are restored to normal position when the lever is moved in the opposite direction, and a trigger arranged in operative relation to the Sear when the latter is in normal position.

4, In a springair gun, the combination with a frame having a cylindrical portion depending therefrom, of a barrel extend-ing forward and-in alinement with the cylindrical portion of said frame, and a stationary abutment adjacent to the junction between the barrel and the frame, lan air compression cylinderslidable in said frame and having an abutment at its forward end for bearing against said stationary abutment, a piston in said cylinder, a piston shank extending rearwardly therefrom, a spring sleeved upon said shank extending into said cylinder against piston, an abutment for the opposite end of said spring slidable in said frame, a sear carried by said abutment, Va lever between the parallel flanges of. said frame, links connected to said lever on opposite sides of the fulcrum thereof and respectively connected to said cylinder and spring abutment, a pump handle slidable longitudinally of said barrel, and a link connecting said handle with saidlever.

5. In a spring air gun, combination with a frame, of an air compression cylinder slidable within said frame and having an abutment at the forward end thereof, a piston within said cylinder, a shank extending rearward from said piston, a spring sleeved upon said shank extending into said cylinder against said piston,'an abutment for the rear end of said spring slidable within said frame, a sear carried by said abutment and :a Vlever fulcrumed within said frame and normally lying substantially parallel to the axis of said cylinder with portions on opposite sides of the fulcrum at a slight angle actuated in opposite directions with increas-V ing power of leverage until the spring isy fully compressed and the piston shank engaged with the sear.

6. In a spring air gun, the combination with a frame, an air compression cylinder,

a piston therein, a shank extending rearward from saidpiston, a spring sleeved on said shank, anV abutment for the rear end of said spring slidable within said frame,

Y a sear carried by said abutment, a lever for vwith a frame having a segmental cylindrical actuating said abutment and sear in a forward Vdirection to compress the spring Yand engage said shank with said sear, to then returnsaid abutment, sear, shank and piston, a'trigger in operative relation to said sear when in normal position, and safety means on said spring abutment for forcing said trigger out ofthe path of said sear when the latter is being returned to normal position. v y

7.Y In a spring air gun, the combination portion and parallel spaced fianges depending therefrom, an air compression cylinder slidable inthe segmental cylindrical portion of they frame, a piston in said cylinder, a

flanges of said frame having `a'portion. on, one side of the fulcrum extending in rear of" said spring abutment, a link connecting said.

portion :to said abutment, a link connected to a portion of ,saidlever forwardof said fulcrum and extending .to .and *connectedy with said air Vcompression cylinder, and meansV for Vactuating said lever to move said cylinderV .and spring abutment simultaneously in opposite directions.

8. In a gun ofthe pump action type, the

combination with a barrel, of-ahandle ar-f ranged adjacent .to said barrel, and a flange extending inward from said handle through a slot iii the barrel and having a segmental portion engaging the inner surfaceofthe-V barrel. A

9. In a gun of the pump action type, Vthe combinationwith a barrel, of a handle ad-` jacent to said barrel, a ange extending from said handle through a slot in the barrel and having va segmental portion for engaging the inner surface of the barrel, and a portion of said flange engaging theouter surfaceV ofV the barrel. Y

10. In a gun of the pump Yaction type, the

combinationrwith aV barrel, of a handle ad- 1V jacent to said barrel, a sheet metalrmember' bent to form a core passing axiallythrough said handle and having parallel flanges'extending through a'slot in said handle and a slot in the barrel, said flanges terminating in segmental portions engaging `the-inner surface of thebarrel, and a bearing yon said metal member engaging the outside surface of said barrel.

.11. In a gun` of the pump action type, tlie combination with a barrel, of a handle ad- Y jacent to said barrel and having a'concave segment therein forfittingabout aportion ofthe barrel, a metal member fashioned to form a core passing axially through saidV handle andbeyond one end of the same, andv also having alaterally extending'fportion passing through a slot in the handle and a slot in the barrel and terminating in a segmental portion fitting the inner surface ofk the barrel, a bearing on the end projecting portion of said member fitting the outer surface of the barrel, and a connection between said end projecting portion vand the member Y to be actuated. Y Y

Vl2. In a gun of the pump action type, theV Vcombination. with a barrel, of a handle adjacent thereto, a member fashioned to form:

a core passing axially through said handle and having a laterally projecting portion passing through a `slit Vin the handle and ter- A minatingin a laterally proj ecting'segmental flangefsaid barrel loeing provided with nenas-4o struck-'up flanges extending parallel to the surface of the barrel and separated by a slot, said flanges engaging the segmental portion of the handle member, and a bearing on said handle member lfor engaging the outer snra face of the barrel.

frame adjacent to the stock.

14. In a gun, the combination with a stock, of a metallic frame attached thereto and having downwardly extending parallel flanges,and a trigger guard secured to said frame forming a closure for the rear end of said downwardly extending flanges and extending therefrom rearward and upward to the stock.

j 15. In a gun, the combination with a stock, of a metallic frame having a hollow cylindrical portion with downwardly projecting parallel flanges and rearwardly extending flanges overlapping'the stock, of a trigger guard having a portion secured to and forming a closure for the rear end of said parallel flanges, and a portion extending rearward and upward therefrom7 the latter portion having notched engagement with the rearwardly extending flanges of the frame.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature CHARLES F. LEFEVER. 

